Governor Reynolds Reopening Iowa’s Other 22 Counties on Friday

Saying "we're ready to take additional steps forward," Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced she's partially opening Iowa, statewide, on Friday.

All the restrictions that have been in effect in 77 of Iowa's counties will be adopted across the other 22 Iowa counties this Friday, May 15. The governor said,

All restrictions currently lifted in Iowa's 77 counties will be expanded statewide which includes restaurants, fitness centers... salons, barber shops, massage therapy may reopen statewide with some capacity restrictions, health measures that are put in place, and recommended guidance from the Department of Public Health.

According to a new proclamation from Governor Reynolds, restaurants can reopen in the 22 Iowa counties at 50 percent of their normal operating capacity. They must also limit parties to no more than six people and keep diners at least six feet apart. No buffets, salad bars, or self-service food or beverages will be available.

The governor announced that bars and casinos will remain closed, for now.

Fitness centers can reopen at 50 percent of legal occupancy, practic social distancing, and group activities, or classes must be kept to 10 or fewer.

Salons and barbershops must also be at 50 percent capacity, operating on an appointment-only basis, with social distancing in place.

The order also allows the opening of medical spas, tanning facilities, massage therapy establishments, tattoo establishments, campgrounds, race tracks, libraries, drive-in theaters, and social fraternal clubs. Specifics are available HERE.

Sarah Reisetter of the Iowa Department of Public Health also revealed details on guidance to businesses as they reopen, along with the people of Iowa. You can see the entire press conference from this morning in the video below.

Prior to the press conference, the Iowa Department of Public Health announced 17 additional deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total deaths in Iowa to 306. There were 377 new positive cases in Iowa on Tuesday. The total of positive cases now stands at 13,289 with 5,954 people who have recovered from the virus. You can see the latest information from the Iowa Department of Public Health HERE.